NZ Open Boat and NZ Wooden Boat BBQ Islington Bay
By Gardiners Gap 12th November 2005
Red dot marks the spot [this is not on the download version]

Alternative venue will be used if Issy Bay is not suitable on day

Turn up when you like, leave when you like. We expect to meet up in the late afternoon for a BBQ at the DOC picnic area. But is also expected that boats will be there from late on Friday afternoon. Some may choose to remain the area for the full weekend and get out sailing as a group.

We should also say that any form of propulsion or construction method or material is acceptable. You can paddle, row, motor, scull [nuclear power is out by law sorry] and have a boat made of wood, plastic, stainless steel, concrete etc etc. If you have the inclination to want to be part of this group that is sufficient cause.

There are no prizes, there is no entry fee and the organisation will be low key. Bring your own food and refreshments. Come in your own boat, borrow a boat, or get somebody else to bring you along.

Fullers Ferries do run to the island but you will need to check their seasonal timetable AND WHAT TIME THEY LEAVE. There is a timetable to be found on the www.rangitoto.org website but I think I would call Fullers if it were me. Make sure you get off at the Islington Bay wharf.... although if they are only going to the Rangitoto Wharf the Coastal Track to Islington Bay is an excellent walk and no physical challenge exists.

This is a pack it in, pack it out area and you are required to take your own rubbish with you when you leave.

Alternate venues are abundant if we need them. In the event we are using Adminstration Bay or McKenzies Bay I would suggest you consider launching from Castor Bay or Milford. Both have good access and are FREE.

Cllick on image above to download DOC pdf version of the Rangitoto Map There are no official camp sites on Rangitoto [I will try to get permission to use an area by the Rangi/Motutapu Bridge] so if you prefer to sleep on dry land rather than your boat you have a choice of official campsites around the corner on Motutapu or across the channel on Motuihe. There might be the odd bunk around and I can put a two up if they are prepared to sleep on the cockpit floor of BlueJacket [under the luxury boom tent of course]. I will tell you more about that on woodenboat next week. Just in case you need them here are some more DOC maps Tiri Tiri Matangi Motutapu Motuihe

Just a note on that bridge. It was built by the US Army in WWII and the reason for this area now being silted up is because the culvert is too narrow for the currents which once flowed through here. Folk law has it that the first time Samuel Marsden visited Auckland he had is Maori crew bring his ship through this gap.

You can see more of this group taken at the site at David Perillo's website www.openboat.co.nz

For more information check out this page regularly.

Or if you want more information about Rangitoto type in this URL http://www.rangitoto.org

I worked here with the Maritime Park Board many years ago and recommend it as a place to visit often.

The Devonport Yacht Club Icebreaker Race is to Islington Bay on Sunday 13th after which they are having a BBQ. A strange coincidence there. Bob Jenner who was instrumental in John Welsford configuring the Navigator design as we know it and the builder of the very first Navigator DRIAGG [shown on the Navigator pages and last known to be in Wellington] will be there. He is Rear Commodore of the DYC and has a yacht named Blue Lady. If I say he has a tender behind I mean his tender looks like its a TENDER BEHIND.

The Rangitoto Historical Society is holding a working bee on the 12th November so if you are interested.